Motocross
James Stewart talks us through his first National win of the 2013 season at Spring Creek.
Although it seemed inevitable, James Stewart’s first Lucas Oil Pro Motocross win of 2013 took eight rounds to materialise as the Yoshimura Suzuki rider went 1-3 at the Red Bull Spring Creek National to finally break his losing streak. Here’s what a happy Stewart had to say about his triumph.
Red Bull: Take us through it, James.
James Stewart: I won the first moto, and to have a chance to win the overall is pretty special, especially with how my season’s been going. Things are certainly getting better as the year’s been going, so I’m happy with that. These were probably the hardest two motos I’ve had since last year when I raced Ryan Dungey.
I had a few close calls
RB: There was a lot of back and forth in that second moto.
JS: I got the holeshot in the second moto, but Dungey got around me. I got back around him, then he got back around me. When Trey passed me I passed him back it seemed like I lit a firework between both of us!
It was probably the fastest I’ve been around an outdoor track in a long time, as sketchy as it was. Going into the whoops I had a few close calls, and after the finish line. But it was fun.
RB: You and Trey weren’t holding back…
He’s an aggressive rider but he’s not a dirty rider, and I respect that. Some guys are dirty. I knew he wasn’t going to let off, and I wasn’t going to let off, so it was just both of us hitting each other. Fortunately I ended up getting the overall… It was some hard racing but it was clean.
RB: You haven’t had the wins this year but it seems like you’re having fun at the races. Is that a fair take?
JS: Even in the supercross season, as crappy as it was going, I actually had fun. I think people get confused because I come off and I’m smiling and they think I don’t care. I do. But I’ve learned that I need to enjoy what I’m doing.
I’m having more fun now
One day I’m going to be older and thinking to myself, ‘Why didn’t I enjoy all those times?’ I won all those races on the 125 and I went undefeated [in 2008]. I’m having more fun now but I’m furious after the races. I still watch races every night. I study like no other. But I’m also able to enjoy it and say I walked out of here safe and I’ll be able to come back next week.
RB: How many years will you continue to race motocross?
JS: As long as I’m competitive I’ll continue to race. I don’t feel like I’ve lost a step, I feel like these guys have gotten better. I feel like as the season’s been going on I’ve gotten faster and faster, so I’m happy with that.
I want to enjoy my life
The second part is as long as I’m having fun. If I’m winning and not having fun, I’ll quit. When it’s not fun to race anymore I won’t do it. Just because it’s too dangerous. I’ve been down that road in my life. I want to enjoy what I’m doing, whether it’s playing golf or racing on the weekend, I want to enjoy my life. If I’m coming to a dangerous sport and I’m not even having fun doing it, I’ll find something else to do.
